The grand opening of the NEW outdoor play plaza at the Greensboro Children’s Museum is this Saturday, May 13th! The museum opens at 10:30am with a ribbon cutting at 11am. The grand opening is for the first phase of the museum’s capital campaign expansion plan. In addition to the new outdoor play plaza, the new lobby and outdoor classroom will the unveiled. The redesigned museum entrance will include a bus drop-off, automatic doors, and shade and rain structure designed to accommodate large groups visiting the museum.

The museum’s new outdoor play plaza consists of two European-imported 30-foot-tall Neptune XXL Climbers connected by a 25-foot suspended net tunnel—the combination of both elements makes it the only one of its kind in the world. There are several play structures for younger children including the Cosmos and Flubber Cube. All of the play structures were developed by Berliner out of Germany well known for creating ultimate play experiences that encourages the development of a child’s decision-making and socializing skills. Climbing taps into a child’s creative level of problem solving, being able to go from point A to point B with no specified path, and the rope structures allow for visibility while kids play.

The museum’s expansion is made possible through the donations of generous donors from the community. The play plaza includes elements for children of all ages and grownups to engage their senses through play. Kids are sure to get a good workout climbing up and down the ropes.

Saturday’s grand opening is the first phase of a bigger project that will include an indoor, interactive water feature and a kid-friendly technology center. Construction on those pieces should begin in late 2017. Admission to the museum is $10 per person and free for kids under age 12 months.